SVG fastest, but Ambrose the star of qualifying

Shane van Gisbergen has claimed provisional pole for Race Three at the Clipsal 500, but Marcos Ambrose's ninth place effort was the biggest story of the 20 minute session.

Ambrose in the DJR Team Penske Ford Falcon FG X cemented himself a place in the ARMOR ALL Top 10 Shootoutthat will determine the final grid for this afternoon's 250km race.

"I forgot there was a shootout, I was just trying to not be last!"said the two-time V8 Supercar Champion, who is returning to the championship with newly-formed DJR Team Penske after nine years racing NASCAR in North America.

"Yesterday's race was good to get a feel for the car. We made pretty big changes overnight to get comfortable."

Van Gisbergen's time of 1min20.0084 in the TEKNODarrell Lea Holden Commodore VF was a new qualifying lap record. The Kiwi set the time right at the very end of a frantic session.

"Jamie took the record off me yesterday so got it back today," van Gisbergen said.

"I see Ambrose made the ten, so that's awesome!

"The Shootout will be exciting, it's always good here."

James Moffat also showed sparking place for Nissan in the Steadfast Altima to set second fastest time, 0.02sec from the TEKNO Commodore. James Courtney, Fabian Coulthard, Jamie Whincup, Tim Slade, Jason Bright, Scott McLaughlin, Ambrose and Garth Tander rounded out the top 10.

Just 0.25 sec separated the top 10 drivers in qualifying.

Notables to miss out on the shootout include Mark Winterbottom (11th), Craig Lowndes (14th) and Chaz Mostert (17th).

The ARMOR ALLL Top 10 Shootout starts at 12.10pm local time.